Orange espresso is a type of caffeinated beverage created by adding a shot of espresso on top of a glass of orange juice. Both ingredients weirdly create a complex flavor experience that is both refreshing and exciting to the palate–intensely espresso-forward, with sweet, citrus notes and bright acidity.
There are many unique drink combinations out there. Coffee lovers constantly add different elements to their cup of coffee depending on what their taste buds whim about on that specific day. You name it: milk, sugar, syrups–and even orange juice!
In this article, we are going to talk about orange espresso. This drink is composed of espresso and orange juice–a pairing enjoyed by many coffee drinkers worldwide. Let’s learn about its components, history, and how you can make your own version at home!
What Is Orange Espresso?
The orange espresso is the coffee drink of the summer! This refreshing combo of coffee and citrus is becoming more and more popular again, especially during the summer season. This beverage will not only awaken your senses with the intense coffee flavor of the espresso but also tingle your taste buds with the orange juice’s bright and tangy characteristics.
The orange espresso is a simple beverage made up of mixing espresso and orange juice. This drink was popularized by cafes in Phoenix, Arizona, and has made its way across the globe.
What Is An Orange Espresso Made Of?
We usually have to decide whether to have coffee or orange juice in the morning–but this time, why not put both together? The orange espresso is a delicious take on iced coffee, combining two main components–espresso and orange juice. While you may already be able to create this summertime drink with just the two ingredients, you can also add other elements to make it even more delicious! Some creative versions include other ingredients such as honey, mint, lemongrass, alcohol, seltzer, and many more!
What kind of coffee beans are used for a good orange espresso?
Since the orange juice has an overpowering flavor, you may want to use medium or dark-roasted coffees when making orange espresso. Also, consider the geographic origin of the coffee as well as its flavor notes. Choose coffee grounds with flavors such as dark chocolate or caramel instead of going for citrusy attributes.
What kind of orange juice is used for a good orange espresso?
If you have time to juice oranges yourself, it’s the best option. Otherwise, consider cold-pressed orange juices, as this will really complement your espresso well. You can also opt for sweetened orange juices if you like that sweet touch.
The History Of Orange Espresso
It’s time to learn more about how the orange espresso made its way back to popularity once again.
Who invented the orange espresso?
Combining coffee and citrus has been a favorite combo in the coffee industry for ages. In 1840, the drink called mazagran began capturing the palates of coffee fans in Algeria during the French invasion. It’s a drink made from mixing coffee, honey, and freshly-squeezed lemon juice.
There are no definite facts about who first discovered the orange espresso. Topping a glass of orange juice with espresso is nothing new. It was probably inspired by the past versions of citrus-and-coffee combinations–or probably just an accidental discovery of a sleepy person who can’t decide whether to have coffee or orange juice for breakfast.
Where is the orange espresso from?
In 2011, many cafes and coffee shops in Phoenix, Arizona began offering a beverage that combines espresso and orange juice. It has become a city sensation and has quite a large cult following. Several coffee shops have this special drink on their menus. It’s known as “Good Morning, Vietnam” at a cafe called Vovomeena, the “OJ Express” at a pastry shop called Nami, and simply “Sunrise” at “Jobot Coffee”.
Aside from coffee, orange, and other citrus juices are usual breakfast staples in Arizona, especially since the state grows a lot of the fruit–which may have contributed to the invention of orange espresso. In addition, Phoenix has very hot weather, which may be one of the reasons why this coffee drink is really popular in that area.
How Much Caffeine Is In An Orange Espresso?
The caffeine content of your orange espresso depends on how many shots of espresso you are adding to your drink. Generally, a shot of espresso has about 65 mg of caffeine. Using two shots will get you around 130 mg of caffeine.
How Many Calories Are In An Orange Espresso?
One regular serving of an orange espresso has about 60 to 90 calories. This depends on how much orange juice and espresso are in your recipe. Every fluid ounce of fresh orange juice has around 30 calories. Meanwhile, a shot of espresso has about three calories.
How To Make Orange Espresso?
With only two basic ingredients, making an orange espresso may seem very easy. However, the tricky part here is being able to choose the right blend of coffee beans that will suit well with the powerful flavor of orange juice. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious orange espresso.
Queue the shots.
Using the standard recipe, start brewing espresso on your espresso machine.
Fill your glass with ice.
Add ice cubes into your glass and fill it halfway.
Add a little sweetener.
You can add a little sugar syrup or honey if you prefer a sweeter beverage.
Let the espresso cool down.
When the espresso is done brewing, allow it to cool down for about a minute.
One hack to quickly drop the espresso’s temperature is to transfer the espresso to an enclosed vessel and submerge it in a shallow container with ice-cold water.
Pour orange juice into the glass.
Pour orange juice into your glass and leave ample space for the addition of espresso.
Add the espresso.
Pour your doppio espresso shots on top of the drink.
Garnish the beverage.
You can add orange slices, lemongrass or some mint leaves into your beverage for garnish and additional flavor.
Serve and enjoy.
Serve and enjoy your orange espresso.
If you don’t have an espresso machine at home, there is no need to worry. Instead, brew some coffee grounds using your coffee maker or prepare some cold brew concentrate. After which, follow the steps below and make your homemade orange espresso!
Equipment
- Measuring cup
- serving vessel
Ingredients
- 2 fl oz orange juice
- 2 fl oz coffee (drip coffee or cold brew concentrate)
- simple syrup (optional)
- Lemongrass or mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Add some ice cubes into the glass and fill halfway.
- Put your desired amount of simple syrup into the glass.
- Using the measuring cup, pour 2 fl oz of orange juice leaving enough space for your espresso. You can double this if you want to have a more evident orange than espresso flavor.
- Measure 2 fl oz of your drip coffee or cold brew concentrate.
- Pour the coffee into the beverage.
- Finish the beverage by garnishing it with some lemongrass or mint leaves.
- Serve and enjoy your homemade orange espresso!
Orange Juice And Espresso: What Is The Best Ratio?
If you’re wondering what’s the best ratio when making orange espresso, the answer is 1:1. This proportion allows the sweetness and acidity of the orange juice, and the boldness and straightforwardness of the espresso yields the perfect cup of orange espresso.
You can also try to experiment with your recipe according to your liking. For example, you may want to adjust the amount of orange juice and add more, especially if you prefer less bitterness. It is all up to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is orange espresso?
Orange espresso is a type of coffee drink made by combining orange juice and espresso.
What does orange espresso taste like?
The robust flavor of the espresso complements well with the sweet and citrus characteristics of orange juice, creating a complex but refreshing coffee beverage for the summertime!
Is espresso with orange juice good?
Many coffee enthusiasts love the flavors of an orange espresso. It’s particularly good, especially for those who like citrus-flavored drinks.
What is espresso with orange juice called?
Generally, it is called orange espresso. However, some coffee shops have come up with more creative names such as the “OJ Express”, “Good Morning Vietnam”, and “Sunrise”.
Why do people drink orange juice with coffee?
Orange espresso fans particularly love the beverage as it’s a unique, refreshing take on iced coffee.
Summary
The orange espresso is a product of many coffee lovers’ unique perspective on a coffee beverage. It’s a combination of two very different components to make a refreshing treat.
Every day, different cafes and coffee shops introduce a brand-new coffee trend to their consumers. And while there are some coffee drinkers who may not be fans of a particular coffee invention, the constant pursuit of creating more unique flavors will continue to provide new experiences for all of us to try out. Cheers to more unique and amazing coffee innovations!